Scholarship Tigers–Students Helping Each Other Find Money for College

TSU Foundation Scholarships Appear to be Open

If you are reading your TSU email, you may have seen a recent email with the Subject line, “Foundation Scholarships Available,” and the message proclaiming, “Apply Now.”

The Tennessee State University Foundation Scholarships appear to be open, and only TSU students (and in some cases, though soon to be) can apply for Foundation scholarships.

https://tnstate.academicworks.com/opportunities

For an overview of the different TSU scholarships, click the link above.

Once you have reviewed some of the scholarship opportunities, you can use your TSU username and password to complete the General Application: https://tnstate.academicworks.com/users/sign_in

You won’t finish the General Application in one sitting, so save as you go along and you can come back to finish later.

Also, once you have completed the General Application, you will get notice within the database of scholarships you might be qualified for, but the system will need more information from you.

For example, the $5,000 Amos-Leon’ and Brenda Wills Otis Scholarship will have supplemental requirements, such as

1. Please upload your current resume
2. Are you a graduate of LEAD Academy in Nashville TN?
3. Did you attach a letter of recommendation from a LEAD Academy alumni, faculty or administrator?

There are several more scholarships available, so apply!

Qualifying for a TSU Foundation scholarship does not guarantee you will receive the scholarship.  

Advice from a $100,000 Scholarship Winner

I went to YouTube and searched for “advice from 100,000 scholarship winners.”

This video by Gabriella was near the top and is worth watching. (I believe I may have posted about her in the past). 

Gabriella is a first-generation college student. She graduated from college with zero debt, and her parents did not have to contribute any money for school. She earned over $100,000 in scholarships. In this video, she talks about tips, tricks, and myths about searching for scholarships.

Gabriella discusses how to differentiate yourself from others, increasing your chances of being selected.

Gabriella relays how she had to write eight separate essays about herself for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She recommends seeking help from your “favorite writing coach” or “writing teacher” to refine and make what is unique about yourself make you stand out from the crowd, allowing the scholarship committee to see who you really are!

Writing Help at the TSU Writing Center for Scholarships or Any Writing Concern

Several successful recipients of the TSU Foundation Scholarships have received help from the AARC’s Writing Center at TSU.

The most successful candidates wrote the General Application over time, and they had the writing consultants at the TSU Writing Center review their applications.

We often suggested the need to expand their material. For example, an organization that is not as well know may need a small descriptor (an “appositive phrase”) to tell the scholarship committee what the organization is.

We also helped students to be more concise. For example, what are three activities for an organization that you volunteered for that you want people to know about. 

Also, any essays or short answer questions can be reviewed by the writing consultants at the TSU Writing Center.

If you are a Tennessee State University student, faculty, staff, or alumni and you need help with scholarship applications, essays, or any other writing concern, know that the Writing Center at Tennessee State University is here for you!

Summer 2025 (including May) hours are Monday-Thursday, 8:00 am-4:30 pm, and Friday, 8:00 am-4:00 pm. 615.963.5102.

Writing assistance is available in person in the Writing Center, relocated to room 229, TSU library, or available online.

For online scheduling: http://mywco.com/tnstate

If you already have an account, log in and make an appointment.

If you don’t have an account, register for an account by clicking on “Register an Account” next to FIRST VISIT? and schedule your appointment!

For help with any writing concern including resumes, applications, or essays for scholarships or internships, you can sign up for any available writing tutor (Ms. Kavan, Dr. Carroll, Ms. Danley, or Mr. Turner). This includes brainstorming ideas or creating scripts for videos.

For assistance with finding scholarships, sign up for Mr. Turner or Ms. Danley.

If you want to reach out to me individually, email Mike Turner at mjturner@tnstate.edu.